National symbols hold immense cultural, historical and patriotic significance for any country. They serve as powerful representations of the country’s identity, history, values and aspirations. They are visible expressions of a nation’s collective pride, unity and cultural heritage. In the case of Nigeria, national symbols, such as the coat of arms, flag, anthem and pledge encapsulate the essence of the nation and evoke a sense of belonging among her citizens.
The coat of arms, in particular, is a visual embodiment of Nigeria’s authority, sovereignty and national pride. Its design incorporates various elements that reflect the nation’s history, geography, culture and aspirations. The shield represents Nigeria’s fertile soil, symbolising its agricultural wealth and potential. A wavy white pall symbolises the confluence of the Niger and Benue Rivers at Lokoja. The supporting horses signify dignity, strength and nobility, while the eagle crest represents the nation’s soaring spirit and aspirations for greatness. The motto inscribed on the coat of arms, “Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress,” encapsulates the core values and goals that Nigeria aspires to achieve.
National symbols, like the coat of arms, play a crucial role in preserving and strengthening a country’s identity and fostering a sense of unity among its diverse population. They serve as unifying factors that transcend regional, ethnic, religious and socio-economic differences, providing a common ground for Nigerians to rally around. When national symbols are respected and revered, they create a shared sense of pride, loyalty and belonging, promoting national cohesion and stability. These virtues suffer when these symbols are not accorded the respect they deserve.
In Nigeria, the abuse of national symbols, including the coat of arms, is a matter of growing concern. The sense that these symbols represent the ideals and aspirations of the nation, while also serving as symbols of authority and instruments of state power, appears to have been lost on most of those who are supposed to impress this truism on the citizenry. That is why it is dearly unfortunate that there have been instances where first ladies, who do not hold official authority or government roles, have taken advantage of the abuse by either sitting on chairs emblazoned with the coat of arms insignia or having it hung on the wall above their head.
I believe that we must re-emphasise the importance of safeguarding national symbols and address the specific concern related to the actions of these first ladies and others who do likewise.
The coat of arms, which is my particular focus on this piece, represents the authority and sovereignty of the Nigerian Government. As with the flag, it has come under abuse at different times and there have been previous attempts to curb these abuses. The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has been at the forefront of highlighting concerns about the abuse of national symbols in Nigeria. In September 2015, Alhaji Abubakar Danchadi, the Director of NOA in Sokoto state, expressed deep concern over the inappropriate treatment of national symbols. He specifically highlighted the national flag, coat of arms, national pledge and national anthem as symbols that have been subjected to various forms of abuse. Danchadi emphasised the need to preserve and respect these symbols to foster patriotism and a sense of national duty among Nigerians.
To safeguard the national symbols from abuse, Danchadi referred to Section 5 of the Flag and Coat-Of-Arms Ordinance, No. 48 of 1960. According to this section, individuals who display the National Flag in a defaced or deteriorated condition are deemed to have violated the ordinance. Additionally, Chapter 2, Section 2x (a) of the 1999 constitution, as amended, calls upon all Nigerians to respect the National Flag, Coat of arms, the National Anthem, the National Pledge, and legitimate authority.
Danchadi expressed concern that the National Flag is subjected to various forms of abuse, not only in private premises but also on government establishments’ premises, which should be more knowledgeable about proper treatment. He cited examples of violations, such as flying faded, tattered or defaced National Flags, using smaller-sized flags, utilising them for advertising purposes, and even burying the deceased with them.The director urged both governmental and non-governmental organisations in Nigeria to give the national symbols the respect they deserve to promote the highest level of patriotism and cultivate respect for the national symbols.
The NOA is not alone in the drive to bring respect for national symbols to national consciousness. Recognising the need to protect Nigeria’s national flag, the House of Representatives introduced a bill in May 2017 to amend the Flag and Coat of Arms Act of 2004. The bill, sponsored by Sam Onuigbo (Abia-PDP), sought to impose stricter penalties on individuals who distort the national flag.
Onuigbo highlighted unauthorised alterations made to the flag, including the incorporation of unauthorised coat of arms designs. The proposed legislation aimed to ensure that any modification, removal or addition made to the original design by Pa Michael Akinkunmi in 1959 would not be recognised as the Nigerian flag. The bill underscored the significance of upholding the integrity of national symbols and protecting Nigeria’s national heritage.
According to the proposed legislation, Section 10 of the principal Act will be revised to remove the existing fine of N100 and replaced with a more substantial amount of N100, 000. Furthermore, Onuigbo reiterated that anybody who displays a deconstructed national flag, giving the impression of using the authentic flag when it is actually altered, would be considered guilty of an offence under the Act. Similarly, anyone who inserts the national coat of arms into the national flag, creating an unauthorised form of the flag, would also be in violation of the Act. Nicholas Ossai (Delta-PDP) strongly condemned the disregard shown by both government and corporate organisations in violating the Act governing the use of the national flag.
Ossai argued that distorting the flag not only demonstrates disrespect for the nation but also infringes upon the objectives set by the national flag. Likewise, Kingsley Chinda (Rivers-PDP) stressed the urgent need to raise awareness and prioritise the protection of Nigeria’s national pride. He advocated stricter penalties for offenders, emphasising that such actions should be deemed criminal and met with appropriate punishment.
While legislative measures primarily focus on the flag, the abuse of the coat of arms remains a significant concern. The coat of arms represents the authority and sovereignty of the Nigerian government. It is not intended to be used by individuals who do not hold official authority or government roles. However, there have been instances where first ladies have been observed sitting on chairs adorned with the coat of arms insignia, thereby exploiting its symbolism for personal gain or influence. Such actions not only disrespect the dignity and honour associated with national symbols but also blur the lines between official authority and personal privilege.
The abuse of national symbols, particularly the coat of arms, by first ladies raises important questions about the boundaries of authority, respect for institutions and the need for proper protocols. I still do not understand why protocol officials at the executive arm of government that should know better are permitting the misuse of the coat of arms. It sends mixed messages to the public and undermines the principles of good governance and transparency.
Additionally, it erodes the sanctity of national symbols and dilutes their symbolic significance. This issue also has implications for the perception of Nigeria, both domestically and internationally, as it raises concerns about the adherence to established norms and protocols. Preserving the sanctity of national symbols is crucial for reinforcing national pride, unity, and progress.
It is imperative for all Nigerians to recognize the significance of these symbols and play an active role in preserving their dignity and integrity.
